Acts 17 - 10.25.23
Scripture
Acts 17:13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.
Observation
This story is repeated throughout the book of Acts. Paul goes to a new city to preach the Good News. At each stop, he spends days or weeks preaching about Jesus. Eventually, at each stop riots and threats of violence erupt and he is driven out. But fortunately, God’s word does not return empty. The persecution he faced had a purpose. Through the chasing of Paul from city to city, the Good News was spread throughout the world.
Application
Paul knew he was called to spread the gospel. He obediently walked in that calling in spite of all circumstances. He was threatened, and beaten, and jailed. I have to think that there were times when he wanted to give up, times when he cried out, “Where are you God? I thought you told me to preach to these people and yet again I am being forced to run.” But he seemed to understand that his job was to trust God and walk in what he was called to do. It was his job to trust that God had a purpose.
Can we trust God enough to believe that He is in control in spite of the circumstances that we are experiencing?
Prayer
God, thank you the reminder today that you are in control. I think this is an ongoing, lifelong learning process. Help me to remember to run to you first and always. Help me to remember the times you have worked in my life. Help me to remember that things won’t always make sense to me, but it is my job to trust that you have a plan and a purpose and to obey.
- Debbie Dunn
Acts 16 - 10.24.23
Scripture
Acts 16:22-40 NIV
“The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.”
Observation
Paul and Silas had just been beaten and severely flogged wrongfully, yet they responded in faith, with joy and worship. Even through a difficult circumstance, they remembered that God was good and never lost faith.
How we respond to difficult circumstances is what will determine our joy. Joy was not based on circumstances for these men. Their joy was found in the Lord.
Application
Give your difficult situation over to Jesus and experience peace and joy as a result.
A whole household was saved because of Paul and Silas’ surrender and obedience to the Lord. They refused to allow their circumstances to determine and define their joy. They knew Who their ultimate protector and redeemer was and put their hope in God, instead of men. Also, they ended up encouraging more brothers and sisters in the faith after being released from prison.
What difficult situation are you facing today that you need to give over to the Lord in prayer and worship? If you are in a good place right now, who can you think of to encourage in the Lord through their difficult circumstance? What has the Lord brought you through and comforted you with in the past that can be a comfort and encouragement to another person?
Remember, after Paul and Silas were released from prison, “they went to Lydia’s house to meet with the brothers and sisters and encourage them.” (Verse 40)
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You that no matter what we face, we can be encouraged that You are ultimately in control of the situation and therefore need not fear for our future. I pray that You would restore our joy in You as we respond to difficult situations in prayer and worship. I also pray that as we draw comfort from You, we would be able to comfort others going through hard times. Your Word says that You are the Father of compassion, the God of ALL comfort and we would be able to comfort those with the same comfort we have received from You. (2 Cor. 1:3-4) Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Proverbs 25 - 10.23.23
Scripture
Proverbs 25:21-22 NLT
“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”
Observation
Words of wisdom from King Solomon in this passage. The particular verse I chose today also mirrors the words that Jesus spoke when he told his disciples to “love your enemies.”
Application
Kill them with kindness.
Something my dad used to tell me when I was younger was, “kill them with kindness son.” Now I don’t quite remember when or what situation I was in when he gave me that advice, but those words still stick with me to this day. It reminds of the time when I worked in retail, during those busy holiday seasons. You would think people would be nice to one another, especially during those times! Instead, people were quite the opposite. They were impatient, and quite rude to one another. And being a guy who worked during those busy seasons, I seemed to be on the receiving end of those customer tirades. But those words my dad spoke when I was younger, those words that would ring through my ears, really resonated with me during those times. I could have easily spouted back mean things back at the customer and really let them have it. But, then it would have probably made things worse. I probably would lose my job if I responded angrily. But, instead I chose to “kill them with kindness”. I would respond in a friendly and polite manner. I would keep that smile on my face, (even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment). I would offer assistance in a fast and friendly manner. I would go above and beyond to provide the best possible customer assistance. And for the most part, I found out by me doing that, it would help defuse the situation. The once irate customer would calm down. We would then be able to have a nice, normal conversation. Believe it or not, when the situation was over, most customers would even take the time to apologize to me for acting the way they did. What?!
Looking back on those times, it shouldn’t surprise me that that would happen. It shouldn’t surprise you either because “killing them with kindness” is basically the concept Jesus gives us when He instructs us to love our enemies. It’s the concept King Solomon speaks in the verse I chose today too. There is something about loving on our enemies, and praying for them, that can turn their frown upside down. It can turn them from a foe into a friend. I mean even Abraham Lincoln knew that the best way to destroy an enemy is by making them your friend. 😊❤️
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.” -Luke 6:35
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I am reminded today that before I knew You, I too, was once Your enemy. But You never gave up on me. You always loved me. You even died for me. Thank You for Your grace, mercies, and unconditional love that You show me each day. May I follow Your lead Jesus. May I love the unlovable. May I forgive the unforgivable. May I do it because You first did it for me. I pray these things in Your name Jesus, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi